Pastor Zachary Kariuki is the founder of Grace International and African Missions in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the first born of five in his family. He was brought up in Kenya East Africa in Kerugoya. He attended Thaita Primary School and later graduated from Kerugoya Boys High School. He gave his life to Christ in 1989.
He got involved in the ministry after he received a call to serve as a Christian Union Secretary and a leader in the school system. Prior to that he would attend church and thought that he would earn salvation that way. He grew up in a Christian environment and embraced the teaching of the church but had not made a decision to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
He began to grow in faith by attending nurturing meetings and fellowships with the elderly being the only young person in his home church. After finishing high school he went to serve with his home church as a Sunday school teacher for one year with the children. Later he worked with the youth and then the Lord called him to serve as church evangelist in a full time position. He gained so much experience in this position by getting to know the people, their needs, meeting and serving them.
After one year, he received a call from the Lord to go to Bible school. This was after beginning to get challenges from those that were educated Christians and having difficulties in handling some of the scripture passages, as well as needing to be able to adequately lead and counsel people when problems arose. He saw the need of going to school to be equipped for the work the Lord had called him to do. This was also confirmed by other people as they saw his commitments. After such encouragement, he enrolled in a Bible school in Nairobi.
In 1995, he transferred to Holmes Bible College in Greenville, South Carolina for a Bachelor of Science in a Pastoral Minor Program. The same year his mother got sick and later went to be with the Lord. This was a very difficult time for him but never the less God continued to work on him and he graduated with a bachelor's degree.
Pastor Zach, also during this time, went back to Africa for his wedding and was married to his wife Ruth. He then returned to NC and came back to school, but she remained in Africa, as she had to acquire a visa. She later joined him. Zach and Ruth have two precise boys, John Brian and John Mark.
Reverend Kariuki's education and degrees:
- Bachelor of Science, Holmes Bible College, Greenville, SC
- Masters in Christian Education, Erskine Theological Seminary
- Masters in Divinity, Erskine Theological Seminary
- Chaplaincy in Residency, AnMed Health, Anderson, SC
- Doctorate in Christian Education. Carolina University of Theology
Pastor Zach and his family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina to work with the African Community living in the area. He also received a call to teach as a faculty at New Life Theological Seminary. The family believes that God has called them to impact other lives for the Kingdom of God.
He likes spending time with the family and enjoys outdoor recreation especially playing soccer.
His favorite Scripture is 2 Corinthians 4:5
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
We invite you to get to know more about Pastor Zach, so come worship with us this Sunday.
Pastor Zachary Kariuki
1821 Back Creek Church Road
Charlotte NC 28213
704.264.6478
